Inclement Weather & Delayed Schedule

Inclement Weather

Tune in to Local TV Stations for School Delays

College Closing Process

As inclement weather creates situations when the college finds it necessary to make adjustments in its class schedules and normal operating hours, it is important to understand the announcements made on local radio/television stations. Announcements will also be posted on the college's telephone information system at 857-VWCC (8922) and the website at http://www.virginiawestern.edu. However, it is strongly suggested that you pay greater attention to the announcements made through radio and television outlets as the phone system and the website may, at times, be delayed in making the information available. An excellent method to directly receive office closing notifications is through VW ALERT. This is the text messaging system installed as part of the VWCC Emergency Alert System. If you have not already done so, enroll in the VW ALERT system right away to receive the text message alerts regarding college closings and other emergency alerts. These alerts may also be sent to your work and/or home computers. You may enroll in the VW ALERT system at https://alert.virginiawestern.edu.

Announcements

While Virginia Western is explicit in its announcements to the media, the media in turn may announce information differently and it may be confusing. Be sure to listen often to these outlets to ascertain the college's status. It is important that all college personnel be alert to radio and television announcements when any doubt exists concerning college closings or delayed openings:

Notice of closing/cancellation for day classes will normally occur prior to 6:00 AM

Notice of closing/cancellation for evening classes will normally occur between 3:00 and 4:00 PM

When you hear an announcement that "Virginia Western Community College is closed", or "Virginia Western Community College classes are canceled", ANY activities or operations associated with the college are canceled and the college is closed.

When you hear an announcement that "Virginia Western will open at [time]", classes will be held according to the compressed schedule outlined below.

Due to changes in weather patterns and / or successful snow removal efforts, the status of day classes and evening classes may vary from time to time. The college will assess its ability to open or close twice per day and will always issue office closing announcements.

In the event day classes are canceled but evening classes are held, instructors are responsible for arrangements in meeting their classes, whether on campus or off campus. In the reverse order, the same responsibilities hold true.

For VWCC Employees

As inclement weather creates situations when the college finds it necessary to make adjustments in its class schedules and normal operating hours, it is important to understand the announcements made on local radio/television stations. Announcements will also be posted on the college's telephone information system at 857-VWCC (8922) and the website at http://www.virginiawestern.edu. However, it is strongly suggested that you pay greater attention to the announcements made through radio and television outlets as the phone system and the website may, at times, be delayed in making the information available. An excellent method to directly receive office closing notifications is through VW ALERT. This is the text messaging system installed as part of the VWCC Emergency Alert System. If you have not already done so, enroll in the VW ALERT system right away to receive the text message alerts regarding office closings and other emergency alerts. These alerts may also be sent to your work and/or home computers. You may enroll in the VW ALERT system at https://alert.virginiawestern.edu.

While Virginia Western is explicit in its announcements to the media, the media in turn may announce information differently and it may be confusing. Be sure to listen often to these outlets to ascertain the college's status. It is important that all college personnel be alert to radio and television announcements when any doubt exists concerning college closings or delayed openings. To determine the specific work status of the position you hold, see the section of this memorandum regarding "Designated Employees" on VW Connect. If your specific position is not on the listing, it is considered non-designated.

Notice of closing/cancellation for day classes will normally occur prior to 6:00 AM.

Notice of closing/cancellation for evening classes will normally occur between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Please pay particular attention to the announcements as they pertain to delayed openings. It is expected that employees be fully aware of the official opening time and be at their workstations promptly to serve our students and others.

The following announcements of delayed opening and college closings will govern the status of employees.

For Delayed Opening of the College

"Virginia Western will open at {time}." -- Designated employees report on the regular schedule. Non-designated employees and teaching faculty are to report and be prepared to work by the official delayed opening. Classes will be held according to the inclement weather delayed class schedule.

For Closing of the College

"Virginia Western is closed." -- Designated employees are to report to work on the normal schedule. Non-designated employees do not report.

"Virginia Western will close at {time}." -- Designated employees shall remain on duty, unless released by the immediate supervisor. Non-designated employees shall be released from work as of the official closing time.

"Virginia Western day classes are canceled." -- Designated employees are to report to work on the normal schedule. Non-designated employees do not report unless they are scheduled to work after 5:00 PM.

"Virginia Western evening classes are canceled." -- Designated employees are to report to work on the normal schedule. Non-designated employees do not report unless they are scheduled to work prior to 5:00 PM. (Designated employees may be required to work during times they are not regularly scheduled to work.)

It is very important for employees to use good judgment during times of inclement weather. When the college is open and inclement weather is prevalent, employees must ultimately decide for themselves whether conditions are safe for them to report to work. In instances where individual judgment dictates that you should remain at home rather than travel, you should notify your supervisor and charge your time away from work to accrued leave. For part-time hourly/wage employees, no leave is available to apply to missed time due to inclement weather travel concerns. There will be times when employees must exercise personal responsibility to determine when it is safe to travel.

Off-Campus Locations

VWCC off-campus sites at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the Greenfield Center, the Franklin Center, the Claude Moore Center and any other remote locations that may be utilized from time-to-time shall officially close when the main campus is officially closed. When delays in opening the main campus occur, the same delayed opening provisions shall apply to the off-campus locations. In the event that conditions are such that a need arises to cancel classes at an off-campus site where conditions are not the same as the main campus, the Vice-President of Academic and Student Affairs may authorize classes to be cancelled at the affected site or the site may be closed. For WDS-related classes at any of the above off-campus sites, the Vice-President of Workforce Development Services may authorize class cancellations or site closure.

VWCC and WDS Contract Classes and/or Pre-Arranged Visitations/Appointments on Company Sites:
In the event delayed openings occur or the college is closed at the main campus, classes and/or pre-arranged visitations and appointments that are delivered at company sites specifically for a particular client, shall continue as normal unless the company itself chooses to delay or cancel the class or appointment. Instructors of contract classes at company sites shall meet these classes as normal even though the main campus may have a delayed opening or is officially closed. The respective company shall inform the Vice-President of Workforce Development Services, the Coordinator of Workforce Services or the specific Workforce Development Specialist of any adjustment in contract class meetings, appointments and/or visitations as soon as possible when the event occurs.

For a current list of designated employees for inclement weather refer to the Office Closings and Inclement
Weather Policy located on the HR Policies and Procedures page on VW Connect.

VWCC Alerts

We use VW Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency.